Acts Theology 91: Unbelievers Can Please God?

Peter boldly proclaims in "Acts 10:34-35," 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.' This statement challenges a common theological claim that unbelievers can do absolutely nothing to please God, often citing passages like "Romans 8:7-8," which states, 'Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.' However, a closer look at the *context* suggests a different nuance.
While Paul in Romans is contrasting those controlled by the Spirit versus those controlled by sinful flesh, Peter in Acts 10 speaks of a foundational disposition of the heart. Cornelius, a God-fearer, demonstrated actions ('prayers and your alms have ascended as a memorial before God,' "Acts 10:4") that were pleasing to God, prompting divine intervention to bring him the full gospel of Jesus Christ. This 'acceptability' is not about meriting salvation but about actively seeking God and aligning with His moral will, even without explicit knowledge of Christ.
This teaching reminds us that God is not perpetually angry at every action of an unbeliever. When an unbeliever acts in a way that aligns with God's moral law or seeks Him with a genuine heart, God notices and approves, as seen in "Hebrews 11:6": 'whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.' While salvation comes only through Christ, God responds positively to a seeking heart and righteous deeds, which often precede or prepare one for the message of grace.